Places / The new old Tokyo
The bright, racing, digital, 12 million person metropolis of Tokyo has gone all quiet and traditional. Tiny, obscured bars buried in dark alleyways behind nondescript doors are inviting small numbers of trusted patrons to quiet nights of reserved nightlife, and right now a word of mouth invitation to a small, basic bar is the hottest ticket in this technology-obsessed city. Recounted through a fine piece of travel writing Julia Chaplin of The Times strayed far from the well-trodden tourist grid and experienced the secretive, whispered nightlife chosen by Tokyo’s socialites and former party set. Embracing tradition and finding respite from an always-on connected lifestyle, Tokyo’s fashionistas, artists and designers are secretively guarding their new-found nightspots to enjoy quiet conversation and quality company in a more homely atmosphere than the more common western-style nightclubs and bars. A welcome change in Tokyo, the trend is unique in a global context - particularly in comparison to the fluorescent new rave invasion in London. [artwork by Hirofu ISO / Komainu]
Also by ANDY
We’re now stocking your creations
Our online store has been kicking along nicely for a while now, featuring prints by Andy Smith [pictured], tees by Das Monk and jewellery by This Charming Man to name a few. We have visitors from all across the globe and some of our pieces have been racing out the virtual door faster than we imagined possible. Aw, shucks! Now it’s your turn. If you design, create, or distribute products and artwork that fits with our style, and you’d like to see your goodies stocked on our shelves in time for Christmas, drop us a note introducing yourself and we’ll take it from there. Psst … we’re planning some Christmas gift ideas and subscriber offers too. We reckon you’ll like them.
The knuckle sandwich charm necklace by This Charming Man features two pieces of bread on either side of a tiny set of brass knuckle dusters. Rad huh? Get yours now for $140.
Australian jewellery label Peas, Corn and Tomato Sauce produces a range of one-of-a-kind jewellery made from items including busted vinyl, burnt and dismembered plastic dolls, chess pieces, and toys including army men, monsters and cowboys and Indians. Each piece is unique, hand-made and comes with a guarantee to start conversations wherever you go. Come over to the Lost At E Minor store and grab one now for $33. Read more
YOU'RE SAYING (1)
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What a wonderfully grown up ethos of punk is to be found in the latest effort by New Zealand’s Stolen Girlfriends Club. I saw sequin, lace, leather, denim, tulle, rhinestone and what appeared to be heshen, breaking all the rules of taste but nevertheless making me very, very happy. Read more
Fashion photographer Melvin Sokolsky’s works from 1960s are still fresh, timeless and so inspiring. Or should I say that they look newer than what’s out there in fashion photography world now? Ah, the world before Photoshop. Read more
Portland artist Aijung Kim creates the most heartfelt and endearing comics and prints. A highly candid viewing experience at times both quiet and haunting, often as cozy and reassuring as a familiar friend. With a keen eye for folksy patterns and clean detail, Kim’s work is simply a treat to view.
DJ Spooky — That Subliminal Kid — is just about the deepest crate digger around, trawling the barrels of long-lost record stores for choice vinyl to spin in his wickedly dubby sets. He gave us the inside word last week on his eight favourite songs right now via our sister website, My Secret Playlist. This is what he had to say about Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s Panic in Babylon: ‘If there’s anything that the twenty-first century has told us, it’s that dub is the real original hip-hop. Lee Scratch even had to make it clear in 1965 by adding “Scratch” to his middle name. Take that, Grandmaster Flash!’ Read the rest of DJ Spooky’s Secret Playlist.
In Japan, when one makes squeezing gestures with both hands at chest level, one is gesturing that one wants candy — soft, round, bouncy candy. At least, that’s what this commercial would have us believe.
Lush was one of the best bands to come out of the indie-tastic early ’90s. They set the standard for shoegazey, ethereal pop from the British Isles, and they were about to break big with their 1996 album Lovelife before drummer Chris Acland hanged himself in his parents’ home. The band is a bit of a forgotten gem at this point. Let’s cross our fingers for a reunion.
Melbourne’s Alice Euphemia has been a swinging shrine to Australian independent fashion for a decade now, hosting some of our favourites including Romance Was Born and TV amongst countless others. The success continues, with Alice Euphemia having opened a second store in 2007 in the old Craft Victoria building on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Read more
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WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST
Alison Malone on her Daughters of Job photos
A couple of weeks back we featured the work of New York-based photographer Alison Malone, who went into the secretive environment of the Job’s Daughters to photograph the girls who are direct blood relatives of the Master Masons. This is the second part of that interview. Read more
Pictures taken at just the right time
You don’t have to be a skilled photographer to take the best snaps: some just appear out of absolutely nowhere. This site has collected together some of the funniest, cruelest, most alarming — yet completely spontaneous — photos circulating the web. Thank god for other people’s suffering! Read more
Florida-based artist, Andy Espinoza, studies at the Ringling College of Art and Design, majoring in Illustration. His paintings are beautifully conceptualised, rich in narrative and technically impressive. Of his work, he says: ‘I see each human figure as a unique challenge. I am coaxed to find the unique relationship between the shapes and tones that give the particular subject its subtle appeal and unrepeatable vitality. My paintings are not photographic representations of my subjects, but rather are my elaboration of what I find to be of value in them’. Read more
Christine Callahan’s colourful photography
There is magic in these photographs by New York photographer, Christine Callahan. The vibrant colors and the beauty in the everyday give me the feeling that everything is going to be just fine. Read more
Adult Hotel opens in Nanning, China
State-controlled news outlet Xinhua reports that a new ‘adult hotel‘ is opening in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Province in southern China. Apparently state censors think homosexuals and tattoo parlors sully their nation’s image, but not establishments aimed at facilitating heterosexual unions. The owner is apparently worried his business will be perceived as a brothel. Hmmm. In any case, the photos of a staff member demonstrating the, uh, equipment is caption-worthy for sure.
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As a special offer to our readers, the very cool Illiterate tee — designed by WeMe Creative, a group based in Hong Kong and Sydney — is now available just $30 through the Lost At E Minor online store.
Woohoo! We have five copies of the new Faint album, Fascination [Inertia], to give away to randomly selected Australian-based Lost At E Minor subscribers who leave a message under this post telling us about the last time they, ummm, Fainted.
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Chuck F said | 28 June, 2007
This has alwayls been true in Japan, Clubs are mainly for the 25 and under crowd. Everybody else just goes out drinking at small bars, the drinking culture in Japan is intense.
Nothing new to see here really, just the article entirely misinterpeting things. There are very very few hipster exclusive bars, most of the time it’s just the bar you’ve been going to for awhile or is near a spot you like. Exclusive in the case she writes would be like finding a mom and pap bar in some low-pedesterian area in NY.
The fact she even mentions Le Baron as being some exclusive hipster place is laughable, it’s just Roppongi for people that are in Tokyo longer then a month and recently has next to zero Japanese in it.